Standard Lemma guide

quicksort

noun · verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • General-American: kwĭkʹsôrt'
  • General-American: /ˈkwɪkˌsɔɹt/

1

noun

Meaning 1

A sorting algorithm that operates by recursively partitioning the items to be sorted into two sets.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: computing, engineering, mathematics, natural-sciences, physical-sciences, sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To sort with such an algorithm.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Topics: computing, engineering, mathematics, natural-sciences, physical-sciences, sciences

Examples

  • 1991, Maguire et al, Geographical Information Systems: Principles and Applications The first and last subsets are then recursively quicksorted.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From Quick + sort, from its computational efficiency.

Across languages

Translations

2 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: pikalajittelu — sorting algorithm
  • Finnish: pikajärjestäminen — sorting algorithm